Attachment devices and channel pockets for shoe uppers

ABSTRACT

The shoes of the present disclosure have connection mechanisms or devices to removably attach ornaments to an upper of the shoe. The connection mechanism can be a snap fastener that holds the ornament in place. The connection mechanism can also be a pouch permanently attached to the upper, and the ornament can have a clip that mates with the pouch. The ornaments of the present disclosure can have a variety of features, textures, and other media.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/087,781, filed on Dec. 4, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to customizable shoe tops, also known as uppers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to shoe uppers that can be customized with clips, snaps, buttons, or other ways to attach ornaments, or with pockets to receive ornaments.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the field of footwear, there is an ongoing need to provide users with ways to customize footwear to their needs. The present disclosure addresses this need.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shoes of the present disclosure have uppers that can be customized with removable attachments or ornaments. The ornaments can be in a variety of forms, such as belts, chains, rope, clips, or others, and can have a variety of ornamental features. The ornaments can be connected to the shoe uppers with a connection mechanism or device, such as a snap connection. Alternatively, the uppers can have a channel pouch where an ornament having a clip can be connected.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a shoe comprising an upper having an exterior surface, a connection mechanism attached to the exterior surface, and an ornament removably connected to the connection mechanism. The connection mechanism can be a magnet, a hook and eye, a hook and loop, and any combinations thereof. The connection mechanism can also be a pocket having a pouch to receive the ornament. The ornament may be made from a loop or loops, ring or rings, woven fabric, leather, fake leather, rope, a metal rod, a plastic rod, a stone, a buckle, or any combinations thereof. The ornament may also have gems or stones thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a first embodiment of a shoe according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a top, perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top, perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1, without an ornament.

FIG. 4 shows a top, perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with a snap fastener opened.

FIG. 5 shows a second top, perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with an ornament attached.

FIG. 6 shows a magnified top view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with an ornament attached.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of the shoe of FIG. 6, with a snap fastener opened.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of the shoe of FIG. 1, with a snap fastener opened and the ornament partially removed.

FIG. 9 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of the shoe of FIG. 9, with an ornament partially connected.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the shoe of FIG. 9, with the ornament fully connected.

FIG. 12 shows an ornament according to the second embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13a-d show a schematic, sequential diagram of the ornament of FIG. 12 being connected to the shoe of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to the Figures, and in particular FIGS. 1-8, a first embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure is shown, and referred to by numeral 100. Shoe 100 has sole 105 and upper 110, which define an interior where a user places their foot. Upper 110 has a connection mechanism or device 120 on a surface thereof. Removable ornament 130 is removably connected to upper 110 in the manner described below.

In the shown embodiment, connection mechanism 120 is a snap fastener having male half 122, female half 124, and strap 126. Ornament 130 has a loop or ring 132. To attach ornament 130 to upper 110, a user can slip female half 124 and strap 126 through ring 132, and connect female half 124 to male half 122, to secure ornament 130 in place. The orientation of the female and male halves can also be reversed, i.e. mechanism 120 can have a male half 124 and female half 122. There can be one connection mechanism on each side of upper 110, as shown. As used in the present disclosure, the term “removable” or “removably connected” means that ornament 130 can be connected to and disconnected from upper 110 and connection mechanism 120 without damaging itself or either one of those components.

Thus, the present disclosure provides a very easy way for a user to customize the appearance of shoe 100. A user can have one pair of shoes 100, and as many of ornaments 130 as desired. The user can change the decoration, appearance, and/or color of the ornament 130 of shoe 100 without having to buy or keep more than one pair.

Ornament 130 can have any of a variety of forms, for example interconnected loops or rings, woven fabric, leather or fake leather belts, rope, metal or plastic rods or staffs, interconnected stones or gems (e.g. rhinestones, pearls, turquoise stones), buckles, combinations thereof, or the like. For example, ornament 130 could be a woven fabric band with stones attached to a surface thereof, and with loops or rings at each end to connect to mechanism 120. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9, ornament 130 has two rods 131 interconnected to each other, with one of rings 132 at each end of rod 131 for connection to mechanism 120.

Connection mechanism 120 can also include or comprise fastening devices other than snaps. For example, connection mechanism 120 can be magnets, a hook and eye mechanism, or a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®. In each of these, there can be a mating structure on ornament 130. For example, ornament 130 could have a corresponding magnet, hook or eye, or hook or loop, respectively. In addition, there can be any number of connection mechanisms 120 on upper 100. For example, for each upper 110, there could be one connection mechanism 120, two connection mechanisms 120 (as shown), three connection mechanisms 130, or four or more, located at several different locations around the surface of upper 110. Connection mechanisms 120 can be made of metal, plastic, or other suitable materials for securing ornament 130. Connection mechanisms 120 can be attached to upper 110 in any number of suitable ways to secure a permanent connection, for example with an adhesive, stitching, or metal fasteners, such as rivets, studs, or grommets.

Referring to FIGS. 9-13, a second embodiment of the shoe of the present disclosure is shown, and referred to by numeral 200. Shoe 200 has upper 210, pocket 220, and ornament 230. In the shown embodiment, pocket 220 is sewn on to the surface of upper 210. Pocket 220 has side flaps 222, and pouch 224. Side flaps 222 help to secure pocket 220 onto the surface of upper 210. Ornament 230 has a clip 232 that slides into pouch 224, to connect ornament 230 to upper 210. This is another easy way for a user to customize the appearance of shoe 200. Advantageously, ornament 230 is designed so that clip 232 does not contact the skin of the foot of a user. Currently available shoe clips have metal attachments that can irritate the user's skin, as they are placed inside the shoe, or over a lip or throat of the shoe.

Ornament 230 can have a front 234 that can have a variety of decorative features. Front 234 can be metal, plastic, fabric, rope, leather, fake leather, combinations thereof, or any other suitable decorative material. Front 234 can also have stones or gems attached thererto. Front 234 rotates or pivots with respect to clip 232, around hinge 236. In another embodiment, front 234 may be fixed with respect to clip 232. Ornament 230 can also be a one piece structure, where front 234 and clip 232 are integrally formed.

Pocket 220 is advantageous over current designs in that it can be placed anywhere on front 210, for example along the sides or heel of the shoe, or on a shaft of a boot. Current shoe clip designs require that the user fold or attach the clip over a lip or throat 211 of upper 210. Pocket 220 of the present disclosure is not so limited. Although flaps 222 of pocket 220 are sewn on to upper 210 in the shown embodiment, other connection methods are contemplated, such as with magnets, snaps, or a Velcro® connection.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure. 

1. A shoe, comprising: an upper having an exterior surface; a connection mechanism attached to the exterior surface; and an ornament removably connected to the connection mechanism.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the ornament comprises a ring, woven fabric, leather, fake leather, rope, a metal rod, a plastic rod, a stone, a buckle, or any combinations thereof.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the ornament two rods connected to each other, and a ring at one end of each of the rods for connection to the connection mechanism.
 4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a snap, a magnet, a hook and eye, a hook and loop, and any combinations thereof.
 5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein there are two or more connection mechanisms on the upper.
 6. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is permanently connected to the upper.
 7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is a snap fastener comprising a strap, a female snap end on one end of the strap, and a male snap end on a second end of the strap.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the ornament has a ring on an end, so that when the ornament is removably connected to the connection mechanism, the strap of the snap fastener passes through the ring, and the male snap end mates with the female snap end.
 9. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the connection mechanism is a pocket.
 10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the pocket is permanently connected to the upper.
 11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein the pocket is sewn on to the exterior surface.
 12. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the ornament has a clip portion that mates with a pouch in the pocket.
 13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the ornament has a front that is connected to the clip with a hinge, and pivots with respect to the clip about the hinge.
 14. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the ornament has a front that is connected to and fixed with respect to the clip.
 15. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the ornament is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic, fabric, rope, leather, fake leather, stones, and any combinations thereof.
 16. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the ornament comprises one or more stones or gems attached thererto. 